The Australian Flag - FAQ

Some of the Questions that are asked - also see our 'Inspiration' page -

Why have you created a New Australian Flag?
Because I love Australia, respect indigenous Australia, and believe we have a great deal that can inspire the world?
I also wanted to thank those who inspired me personally and helped me beat severe illness, loss of major functions and high risk of death from PML in 2004.
Was it difficult to create the Sunburnt Flag design?
It was as simple as asking the current flags how they would join in partnership. Inspired by Cathy Freeman I found the design was inherent in the existing flags.
Why does Australia not have a new flag that includes indigenous Australia?
Surveys show that nearly 80% of Australians now want a unique symbol of our identity honouring ALL of us including indigenous and migrant Australians – in the same way Canada adopted the maple leaf in 1965 (the Maple Leaf design had been around since 1919). Canada is still a Constitutional Monarchy. I believe it is time we became more than a British colony with the place of honour (‘Canton’) occupied by the flag of another country. Also I believe it is time that we had a national symbol distinct from our neighbours New Zealand whose Blue British Ensign with the red Southern Cross is often mistaken for our flag. This has happened at International Sporting Events and the classic misidentification was the initial use of the New Zealand flag on the web site of the Australian Monarchists saying:- “Protect this flag”.
Do you like the current Australian flag?
I love the design but it fails to express my love for the individual essence of our country.
Indeed it fails to show respect for indigenous Australia and the contribution of non British migrants to the richness of the sunburnt country. It is a symbol of dispossession to many of the people of our original nation and perpetuates elements of the White Australia policy and colonial Australia. In the 1901 Flag Competition the first priority for designs was - "Loyalty to the Empire". We still have the flag of Great Britain in the Canton (Place of Honour) in our national symbol. Even Britain is now the United Kingdom. Are we nothing more than a colony?? I believe we are so much more - the only island continent in the world. A young nation with the wisdom of an ancient land and an ancient culture - that has given birth to the unique Anzac Spirit.
When did the current flag become Australia's official flag?
Although the design originated from the 1901 competition run the government plus a newspaper and co-sponsored by a tobacco company, the Union Jack was our national flag until the Flags Act of 1953 and was formally adopted in 1954. (See Australian Flag History - Inspiration page).
Why as a fourth generation white Australian of Scottish decent do you have such a strong affinity for Aboriginal Australia?
This is my homeland and my heart is deeply connected to the soul of this land.
The Aboriginal heritage being the heritage of the land is therefore the heritage of my soul.
I aspire to learn more of the indigenous gifts that have an inherent depth of wisdom.
Why does the Rising Sun have significance to you?
The sun is the 'Giver of Life' and part of the essence of the Australian Culture. It has been a significant symbol of Australia throughout the 1800’s including the symbol of Advance Australia prior to Federation. It was a strong feature in many early Australian products and Federation architecture, the symbol of the Australian Military forces since 1902 - only 1 year younger than Federation; the ANZACs of Australia fought under the Rising Sun Badge on the slouch hat at Gallipoli; again at Kododa, Vietnam & now Iraq; today it is the badge of the Australian Army; the Bondi life savers since 1920, and the symbol of the Purflett Aboriginal Mission of the Biripi people near Taree where my adopted Aboriginal mum Ali Golding grew up. Both of my father’s brothers (late) Warren & Bob Berry were local dentists in Taree.
What happens to the copyright if the Australian people want to adopt this design?
The copyright of the Sunburnt Flag will be made available to the Australian people at no cost if the Australian Government wishes to adopt this flag for Australia. All rights are reserved by Stephen Bruce Berry until that time. It was necessary to establish copyright and trademarks to protect the design until adoption, to prevent the problems experienced with the Aboriginal Flag and Ausflag design competitions. 70% of the profits will go to charitable undertakings on an ongoing basis once launch and legal costs are met. A further 20% is going to say thank you to those who have helped me with my endeavours.
Why not replace the Union Jack with the Aboriginal flag on the existing Australian flag?
a) Firstly the Aboriginal flag identifies the Aboriginal people and is its own identity. You would be replacing the flag of one nation in the place of honour (canton) for that of another nation.
Our national identity needs to honour all of us in all cases.
b) The Aboriginal flag is the only officially recognised national flag that is subject to copyright of one individual (Harold Thomas 1971) and not owned by the people it represents. Use of the flag in another design or a derivative of that design is a breach of copyright law. Only one firm currently has an official copyright license to produce the Aboriginal flag. I would be in favour of the Australian government acquiring the copyright from Harold Thomas on suitable commercial terms to remove this anomaly in an official national flag.
Is this a Reconciliation Flag?
Very much so, starting with a partnership joining 2 elements of Nature from both the Australian and Aboriginal flags. This revealed so many important Aussie symbols including the Anzacs, Torres Strait Islanders, Surf Life Savers, and an expression of our Love for a Sunburnt Country - thus the Sunburnt Flag.
What about the Aboriginal Dreamtime?
Some Aboriginal elders have described the Sunburnt Flag as the "Dreamtime Flag " - with the 'Big Spirit' , the 'Giver of Life' and the 'Spirit of the Land'. We therefore have a symbol the ancient wisdom as the primary symbol of our nation.
Why is there no black on the Sunburnt Flag?
This is a valid question sometimes asked by indigenous and non-indigenous people alike.
The Sunburnt Flag is a simple celebration of four elements of Nature in equal Partnership defining “ Place not Race ” .
Only the " Place " part of each current national flag is included - rather than the " Race " halves of the flag.
In many regards we currently have racist flags - defining White and Black Australia. Where is the Respect and Partnership?
It is about the soul of our shared home rather than about skin colour which is very much a part of the current separate national flags.
In many ways this is a wholly Indigenous Flag - with the " Big Spirit " of the Dreamtime (in the Southern Cross) as the Creator Spirit shining over the sun as the " Giver of Life " in the Heart of the flag, with the " Spirit of the Land " in the red soil.
Additionally any inclusion of black constitutes a breach of copyright of the Aboriginal Flag, which is exclusively the flag of the Aboriginal Nation.
How are Migrants included?
In defining "Place Not Race" everyone is included, where the current flags represent separation of white British and black indigenous Australia. To some the current flag is not inclusive of the contribution made by non-British migrants to Australia. The colours of the sunburnt flag are the 3 primary colours capable of making any colour - symbolising a meeting of cultures in the sunburnt country as their shared home.
Is the blood of the Aboriginals included in the elements of the Sunburnt Flag?
Anyone is welcome to find symbols that are meaningful to them in the Sunburnt Flag. In the spirit of partnership I have chosen two elements from each part of the flag - Australian, Aboriginal, Anzac and Torres Strait Island, Surf Life Saving, the Red Centre - to represent our shared future and our shared heritage. The Aboriginal blood is for most people is included within the Aboriginal Flag itself, although this was not part of Harold Thomas' original concept. I originally questioned whether it as a celebration of true partnership to include indigenous blood spilt by white Australia as part of our love for Australia and a vision for our future. However it is a reality of our shared history on our journey to nationhood and needs to be acknowledged. The Anzac blood includes the spirit of all Australians who served their country - as mates together.
Why is there no inclusion of the Green & Gold Australian sporting colours of the wattle?
The Sunburnt Flag is a simple design – the Sunburnt Country as a flag honouring elements of our heritage in the existing flags. A Symbol of Hope & Partnership. There is a Sporting Colours version of the Sunburnt Flag.
(See versions including Military, State and the Sporting Sunburnt Flag in "Home & Inspiration" Pages).
Is this a symbol for an Australian Republic?
Not specifically – it is just a symbol of great love and respect for Australia for ALL Australians in the same way Canada adopted the maple leaf design in 1965 while it is still a Constitutional Monarchy. It is time a truly Australian symbol was in the place of honour rather than the flag of another country - also a new heart and new foundation defining who we are and where we live, that includes all of us .
Do you think Australia Day should be changed?
No - I think with a national flag that shows love and respect for ALL Australians that Australia Day would become a symbol of the joining of ancient Aboriginal culture and new arrivals coming to share their home. I trust the Sunburnt Flag will became a symbol of partnership, respect for our heritage and hope for the future, in the same way the rising sun heralds the hope inherent in a new day……
When would you like to see Australia adopt a new flag?
Maybe 111 years after Federation Day – 2012, or no later than 100 years after Gallipoli in 2015.
How will the Sunburnt Flag be adopted by the Australian government?
In the same manner the Aboriginal Flag was adopted through wide spread popular usage led to official adoption as the flag of the Aboriginal Nation. The people of Australia – not the government will lead the way. Remember it took until 1967 for the government put forward a Referendum to ask whether Indigenous Australians should be offered more equal citizenship. Originally they were contained in the Flora and Fauna Act and were wards of the state. 90.77% of Australians said Yes to inclusion in the Census plus the ability of the Commonwealth to enact legislation covering indigenous Australia instead of the states, and thus more equal Australian Citizenship. Voting was separately inaugurated by the Commonwealth in 1962 and each state in the early to mid 1960's.
Is there any significance of launching the Sunburnt Flag now?
The design is jointly dedicated to my late father – a true gentleman with a love for sport and people. 13 June 2006 is the 10th anniversary of his passing, plus the 4th anniversary of the passing of my ‘ adopted ’ Aboriginal sister Linda Golding is on 2nd July 2002 – which is also the start of NAIDOC week (National Aboriginal & Islander Day Of Celebration). The first Australia Day after the launch of the Sunburnt Flag was the 40th year after Indigenous Australians were finally given more equal Australian Citizenship in 1967.
What other dreams do you have for the Sunburnt Country?
I dream of the Sunburnt Country leading the world in renewable energies - including Sun Powered technologies, plus tidal and wind power. With a flag based on four elements of Nature with the sun at its heart, we could foster a vision for the world in balance with Nature - the only Island Continent on this beautiful blue planet. Maybe we could really be the Lucky Country - in Partnership with Nature and Each Other .

USEFUL REFERENCES:-

AUSFLAG WEB SITE - www.ausflag.com.au - The search for a new Australian Flag.

FLAG & NATION - Australians and Their National Flags Since 1901 - by Dr Elizabeth Kwan - Senior Researcher at Parliament House Canberra - published 2006. The definitive book on the history of our flags in Australia.

Questions for the Politicians????

1) What is the true Australian national identity?? Uniquely Australian, a British outpost or American clone?

2) Do you truly honour the spirit of "A Fair Go"?? Let's hope we now have a new re-emergence of this core Aussie value!

3) Do you want Australia to lead the world with its unique gifts?? Why are Germany, China and California ahead of Australia in Solar Energy?

4) How do we show Respect for the Soul of Australia as 11 generations of new arrivals, when the Spirit of Australia has been cradled for all of us by 2,500 generations of Indigenous Australians that now share their home with us?

IF YOU ASKED AUSTRALIANS THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:-

What is the true national Aussie Identity shown by our national symbol - our flag??

1) Would Australians choose the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star or theSouthern Cross for the place of honour - 'the canton' in their flag?

2) Would Australians choose the red earth of 50,000 years of the Aboriginal spirit and shared blood of the Anzacs as the foundation of their flag?

3) Would Australians choose to honour the Rising Sun Spirit of the Anzacs since 1902 and the Aboriginal Sun as the Giver of life as the true Aussie Identity, including the Surf Life Savers and a symbol of hope as the heart of their flag?

4) IS OUR SIMPLE IDENTITY - I LOVE A SUNBURNT COUNTRY?

5) IS THE SUNBURNT FLAG A TRUE SYMBOL OF WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE LIVE? Does it include ALL Australians - the Anzacs, the Aboriginals, the Torres Strait Islanders, the Migrants, the Surf Lifesavers - our love for the Sunburnt Country and even a 'melted' Union Jack plus the soul of indigenous Australia?

Photo - Anne Morris, Stephen Berry, Deborah Ruiz Wall & Ali Golding Reconciliation Week 2006 with one of the first Sunburnt Flags ready for Aussies to fly for themselves, along with a range of other Sunburnt Flag products.

QUESTIONS WE ALL MIGHT ASK:-

WILL AUSTRALIA’S NEW PM - GIVE US A NEW FLAG?

WILL IT FINALLY BE AN ALL AUSSIE FLAG?

WILL IT INCLUDE INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA?

WILL IT INCLUDE ANZACS?

WILL IT INCLUDE MIGRANTS?

IS IT POSSIBLE TO SAY – “PLACE – NOT RACE”

HOW ABOUT –

THE DREAMTIME FLAG

THE ANZAC FLAG

THE ALL AUSSIE FLAG

THE SUNBURNT FLAG – TO FINALLY SAY

“I love a Sunburnt Country – instead of I love mother England??”

HAS THE NEW PM RECEIVED SUCH A FLAG FOR HIS FIRST AUSTRALIA DAY?

KEVIN RUDD, PETER GARRETT & MALCOLM TURNBULL RECEIVED NEW FLAGS FOR THIS AUSTRALIA DAY –

WILL THIS BE PART OF AUSTRALIA’S NEW VISION??

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WEBSITE PURCHASES AND CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS FACILITATED
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PRICES INCLUDE GST, POSTAGE, PACKING & HANDLING

Initial Products 2006/7– Delivery 1-6 weeks (see Product page)

Window/Fridge Decals, 3 stickers, lapel pins, table flags, hand/golf towels, printed trilobal & sewn outdoor flags.

Follow on Products – 2008 - embroided badges and woven beach towels.

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Manufacturers are welcome to propose possible products to us.

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* Copyright will be made available at no cost to the Australian People if it becomes adopted by the Australia Govt.
© All rights reserved by Stephen Berry until that time.

The Sunburnt Flag web site is the only source for sale of Sunburnt Flag Products.**
Any other products using this design are in breach of Copyright, breach of Trade Mark and breach of Registered Design.

School children and individuals may reproduce the design for one off non-commercial purposes. Products produced for sale are a breach of copyright until such time that Australia officially adopts the Sunburnt Flag as its national flag. At that time the copyright will be donated to the people of Australia at no charge, and thereafter the design may be reproduced without breach of copyright.

Individual permission may be granted by application to us for the production of limited hand made items for sale. A certificate of limited license will be issued.

**Community groups including charitable and reconciliation groups may apply to raise funds through the sale of Sunburnt Flag products. Attractive wholesale prices will be made available to such groups.

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Products that are uneconomic to source within Australia are sourced overseas through Australian based companies with quality requirements and where possible Australian ownership or interest in the overseas manufacturing plants.

All Initial Launch products are manufactured in Australia except table flags and part of the golf towels.

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